Improvement in force-feed apparatus for grain-drills



I W. ALDRICH.

Force-Feed Apparatus for Grain-Drills.

N0. 166,678. Patented Aug.17,1875.

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Nrrnn STATES YVALES ALDRICH, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF HISRIGHT TO THE DAYTON MACHINE COMPANY, SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN FORCE-FEED APPARATUS FOR GRAIN-DRILLS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 166,678, dated August17, 1875; application filed June 3, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALES ALDRICH, of Dayton, in the county ofMontgomery and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Force-Feed Apparatus for Grain-Drills; and I do hereby declare thatthe following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

This invention relates to that class of grain-drills in which a seriesof agitatingwheels, secured in bearings to the under side of theseed-box, aid in conveying the grain into a corresponding number ofspouts, from which it passes through the hoes to the furrows made forits reception; and it consists in the peculiar formation of thefeed-wheel and its housing and the receiving-cup, as will he more fullyset forth, and the invention distinctly pointed out in the claims.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to make and use myinvention, I would thus describe it, referring to the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved feedingapparatus. Fig. 2 is a rear View of the same; and Fig. 3 is arepresentation of the agitating-wheel.

Like parts are indicated by corresponding letters of reference.

A represents a metal chamber, open at the top for communication with theseed-box, whose bottom is correspondingly open. It is of the shapeshown, and is cast in two pieces, bolted or otherwise connectedtogether, and provided upon its bottom with a hooked arm, I), and uponone side with vertical slots 0, in which the cut-off slide is confinedfor the purpose of opening or closing the outlet d, as may be required.Upon a shaft journaled in this chamber is the agitatingwheel B, soarranged that no grain can pass from the seed-box into the spouts,except it be conveyed by the recesses of the agitator when revolving. 0represents the adjustable cut-off slide, provided with diagonalguideslots 6, through which screws f pass into shoulders projecting fromthe chamber A. This slide extends the entire width of the drill, andserves to open or close uniformly the series of chambers. By having itmove diagonally with a drawing motion, the quantity of grain desired tobe drilled can be regulated with great precision.

The seed-wheel D, Fig. 3, is of peculiar construction, and is designedto force or convey the grain in a uniform quantity'from the chamber Ainto the receiving-cup E, to which the rubber spout is attached. It isof the shape represented, and consists of a metal wheel, whose peripheryis composed of short obverse curves forming a zigzag, and each curvebeing a termination of irregularlyshaped recesses, diminishing incapacity toward the hub of the wheel. These recesses are not radial, butincline at an angle of about thirty degrees from the radius.

By employing this form of wheel, which fits snugly to the sides of thechamber, the grain is conveyed in itsrecesses without liability ofbecoming crushed, and no choking of the feeding apparatus can occur, forif the slide be not opened sufficiently to allow the passage of all thegrain, the part left is carried around by the revolution of the wheel,and again deposited in the chamber.

The receiving-cup E is of the usual form; and my improvement consists injoining the two parts of which it is composed by means of a rivet orbolt, g, which is passed somewhat centrally and near the top from sideto side, and is intended to he slipped over the hook b to form theconnection of the two parts. By this means they may be coupled ordisconnected without difficulty or loss of time.

I am aware that the receiving-cup has been connected to thewheel-chamber by means of a swinging stirrup embracing the seedshaft,and pivoted in the receiving-cup by means of a bolt or rivet; but shouldit be desirable to disconnect the two parts the bolt or rivet wouldfirst have to be withdrawn at the expense of time and trouble. By myarrangement, however, this can be accomplished by simply slipping therivet over the hook.

Having fully described my invention, I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent-- 1. The herein-described feed-wheel, whose peripheryforms a zigzag curved line, and whose sides are irregularly-shapedinclining recesses, diminishing in capacity from the tion between thetwo parts, in the manner circumference to the center, substantially asand for the purpose specified.

set forth. a Witness my hand this 31st day of May, A.

2. The chamber A, constructed as described; D. 1875.

and provided with the hook I) and guideslots 0. WALES ALDRICH.

3. The receiving-spout E, clamped by the Witnesses:

bolt 0r rivet g, in combination with the hook J. P. WHITMORE,

b of the chamber A, for forming the connec- CHAS. M. PECK.

